FOUR MILE CREEK ACCESS 2010-2011 STEELHEAD SEASON

 

The Lawrence Park Golf Club is again graciously permitting anglers to access a portion of their property below the dam to fish the lower section of Four Mile Creek (west side only) from 100' downstream (north) of the fish ladder to the mouth.  However, the way anglers access that section of stream is limited and will remain as such until further notice.  See below:

• Anglers are NOT permitted to utilize the foot bridge at the dam in order to cross the stream.  
  
• Anglers must enter the stream from the footpath located on the stream's east side located between the Lawrence Park Golf Club dam and the Lawrence Park Fishing Club property line (marked with yellow rope).  This area is immediately next to (north of) the dam on the east side of the creek.  Anglers must enter the stream from this point, and then walk in the stream down to the mouth to access the west bank (lower fishing hole).  Fishing the east side of the stream is prohibited unless the angler is a member of the Lawrence Park Fishing Club. 
  
• NOTE: In past years, anglers were permitted to utilize the foot bridge to cross the stream then walk along the top of the west bank, then hop down over the bank to access the west side of the stream: THIS IS NO LONGER PERMITTED DUE TO A FEW INCONSIDERATE ANGLERS.  Anglers must stay in the stream and walk down to the west side of the mouth.  NO EXCEPTIONS.
  
• 
  Fishing is not permitted ON THE SECTION OF LAWRENCE PARK GOLF CLUB PROPERTY LOCATED BETWEEN the dam and Route 5.  TRESPASSERS WILL BE PROSECUTED.
  
  
  
  

Thanks for the update.

I live a mile away, and it's not even worth it for me to go there
any more. There's not enough decent water to fish, or a decent
number of fish to make it worth the hassle. Just like 7 mile,
which is also about a mile away, now just memories, not places I fish..............

THAT is what took so many years to approve and install? lol, looks like something you could order from the grainger catalog for $399, with free shipping.

I am glad it is in though and hope that the fish can find it and move up.

Has anyone confirmed that fish have moved upstream?

There is a BIG waterfall right above the fish ladder. The only way the fish are going to get over the waterfall is high water and about 3 Merc 225's strapped to their backsides. And you can forget about wading up to or walking over to the water fall. It's still on the golf course or golf curse as I found out when I tried to cross. My best advice is to forget about 4 mile till about spring 2012. So try taking a walk, when you get to the GE dam see if they made it that far, and then when you get to the chute up by the campus check there too. Stop in at Skips' for a cup of coffee and head back out. I hear there's a nice hole right under 90 on the left hand side.

Why build a chute if fishing is prohibited on the other side? Seems counter-productive.

I caught one of my first steelies down there when I was about 10. It was just upstream from the dam (when fishing was permitted). Fish didn't need a chute back then, just high enough water and an open gate.

Sure was a hard bike ride home with that big **** fish.

ORIGINAL: Livinfishin

Is it just me or is that thing only like two feet (maybe three feet) wide? Unless they have plans to build another one at the CLEARLY IMPASSABLE waterfall just upstream, what was the point of all this again?

 
There doesn't seem to be much of a point at all.  I'm curious how much the DEP permitting for this "ladder" cost PFBC.

" Why they didn't experiment at the falls on Walnut is beyond me."

For one, the falls on Walnut are passable. And second, they don't OWN it. They can't just go in with backhoes, and jackhammers because we WISH it so.

This was NOT an experiment. Plans are already in place to circumvent the upstream obstructions. There was little point in proceeding until all the I's were crossed, and T's dotted to ensure that the most downstream obstruction could be cleared. I understand, that it has been a long, and frustrating process. However, the golf club wanted to make sure all legalities, responsibilities and liablities were adressed before giving the PF&BC permission to procede. They DO have a right, and responsiblity to protect themselves, and thier members.

ORIGINAL: spoonchucker

" Why they didn't experiment at the falls on Walnut is beyond me."

For one, the falls on Walnut are passable. And second, they don't OWN it. They can't just go in with backhoes, and jackhammers because we WISH it so.

This was NOT an experiment. Plans are already in place to circumvent the upstream obstructions. There was little point in proceeding until all the I's were crossed, and T's dotted to ensure that the most downstream obstruction could be cleared. I understand, that it has been a long, and frustrating process. However, the golf club wanted to make sure all legalities, responsibilities and liablities were adressed before giving the PF&BC permission to procede. They DO have a right, and responsiblity to protect themselves, and thier members.

So for now, we have steelhead moving up the ladder into totally
posted property. And this is good........why?

From Fish Commission meeting minutes- Jan 2010




Mirroring the fishing access and conservation easement to be acquired, the lease is on over 5,447 linear feet on both sides of Fourmile Creek as it flows across the Golf Club property. The lease area borders Route 5 (East Lake Road) at the intersection of Route 5 and Route 955. The northern boundary of the lease area is approximately 750 feet from Lake Erie. A map depicting the subject parcel is attached as Exhibit B. The lease agreement will provide for construction of the fish passage structures, public fishing and
riparian and fishery management and will include the stream corridor and extend at least 25 feet back from the top of bank. Pathways to the waterway for the construction of the
fish passage structures and public access are designated on the map that is attached as Exhibit C. The lease agreement requires the Golf Club, as the property owner, to operate,
maintain and repair the fish passage structures in accordance with section 3502 of the Fish and Boat Code.





I must be missing something. The first sentence says FISHING
and BOTH SIDES. Why are all the posted signs up? There is nowhere
from the mouth to a mile up where you are allowed to fish both sides. Anyone know?

I grew up fishin that creek now it's a huge pain to fish it but the ladder dosent do any good with the huge set of falls that hasn't been dug out yet by the car bridge

Good thing they put the fish ladder in maybe the emerald shiners will make it up to Behrend cause that's the only fish i saw in the creek last night.